Asher As we headed back to Lycone, I turned to Jamie, who was still pacing the edge of the clearing, muttering curses under his breath. His frustration mirrored my own, but I couldn’t let him act on it. Not yet. “Jamie,” I called, my tone firm. He stopped and looked at me, his face hard with anger. “What?” “You can’t tell anyone about this.” He blinked, stunned. “What? Asher, are you serious? We’re talking about Jude—your father! A wizard who has been lying to us this whole time! How are we supposed to just sit on that?” I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “Because we don’t know how far this goes. If we start spreading this around, it could blow up in our faces. Jude’s been planning this for years. We don’t even know who’s working with him or who might be compromised.” Jamie hesitated, running a hand through his hair. “But Corey… Nina… Amara… Malia. They deserve to know. They’ve fought for you, Asher. They’re your pack. Don’t you trust them?” “It’s not about trust,” I
AsherThe nightmare came again. Malia stood before me, her eyes filled with something I couldn’t place—was it pity? Regret? Betrayal? The words she spoke were muffled, like they were being dragged through water, but I could feel their weight. And then, without warning, she turned her back on me, walking away into the shadows. “No!” I jolted awake, my body drenched in sweat, my heart pounding in my chest. The room was still, save for the soft rustle of Malia’s breathing beside me. Her chest rose and fell with a rhythm that should have been comforting, but tonight, it wasn’t. Tonight, everything felt wrong. I wiped my face, trying to shake the nightmare from my mind, but it clung to me like a second skin. I glanced at Malia, her features serene, completely unaware of the storm raging inside me. I couldn’t stay here. Not like this. Quietly, I slipped out of bed, grabbing a robe and tying it loosely around me. The cool air of the hallway greeted me as I made my way toward the
AsherI was still thinking about what the priest said, and he also was very quiet—it seems he wanted me to think clearly about my decision, so the temple was quiet, save for the soft crackle of the candles burning around the altar. I exhaled deeply, my breath breaking the stillness, and ran a hand through my hair. The priest’s words lingered in my mind, their weight pressing against my chest. For a moment, I let my thoughts drift back to my parents. Memories surfaced, though they were fragmented and fleeting—snapshots of a time that now felt like a distant dream. They were never affectionate with each other. My father, Ian, always seemed distracted, his focus somewhere else, his smiles rare and fleeting. My mother, Brooke, was cold, calculating. She played her role as Luna well, but there was always something off about her warmth—it never felt real. The moments they spent together were more like business transactions than the bond of mates. As a child, I hadn’t questioned it. But
Asher The knock on my office door came just as I was summoning the council. My pulse was still hammering after the report of the Sky Pack deaths. The sheer brutality described in the messenger’s words had left me cold, and now, with the council scattered across the packs, I was trying to get them together fast enough to address the chaos.“Come in,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended.The door opened, and I immediately recognized the twin Alpha heirs of Sky Pack. Darian and Ryker Glenn—Jet’s sons, the next in line to rule the most politically aggressive pack in the kingdom. Their presence wasn’t a good sign. Darian stepped in first, his sharp blue eyes cutting through the tension in the room like a knife. His posture was perfectly composed, every movement deliberate, as if he was constantly weighing the gravity of his own existence. His neatly groomed beard and tailored leather jacket gave him the appearance of someone who had already assumed the throne, even if it technically
Asher I leaned back in my chair, observing him carefully. Ryker’s jaw tensed, and he seemed to struggle to keep his gaze from drifting back to her. It was like he couldn’t help himself, no matter how hard he tried to appear nonchalant. Darian, on the other hand, didn’t even glance at her. He stayed focused on the conversation we’d just been having, as if Malia’s presence didn’t faze him in the slightest. “Malia,” I said, my tone sharper now, cutting through the tension. “Is there something you need?” She seemed to notice Ryker’s stare then, her posture stiffening slightly as her eyes flicked toward him. “I just came to check if you needed anything before your meeting,” she said, her voice steady but quieter than usual. “I’m fine,” I replied, my gaze locked on Ryker. He wasn’t even trying to be subtle anymore. His eyes darted to Malia’s hands, her face, then quickly away as if realizing he’d been caught. Darian finally noticed and sighed, muttering under his breath. “Ryker,
AsherThe next morning came far too soon. The golden rays of dawn filtered through the heavy curtains of my room, illuminating the stillness that followed the chaos of recent days. I stirred, feeling the comforting weight of Malia’s arm draped over me. For the first time in a long while, I felt at peace.That peace, however, was short-lived. A sharp knock at the door jolted me awake. Malia groaned softly but didn’t stir. I carefully untangled myself from her and slipped out of bed, pulling on a shirt as the knocking persisted. Whoever it was, they were relentless.I opened the door to find the priest standing there, his expression unusually grim. “Asher,” he said without preamble, “we need to talk.”I stepped out into the hallway, closing the door behind me to avoid waking Malia. “What is it?” I asked, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. “This better be important.”“It is,” the priest replied, his voice low and heavy. “I sought the moon goddess for guidance last night, as we discussed.”“
AsherLater that day, after much deliberation, I found myself back in the priest’s quarters. The weight of his earlier words hadn’t left me, and though I felt a flicker of determination to face the moon goddess and make things right, I needed to know more. “I’ll do it,” I said finally, meeting the priest’s gaze with firm resolve. “I’ll go to her.”The priest’s expression softened into something almost like pride, but his next words caught me off guard. “You cannot go immediately, Asher. The gateway to the moon goddess’s realm only opens once every three months. Until then, you must wait.”I frowned. “Three months? Are you serious? You just told me she’s displeased with me. How am I supposed to sit on that for months?”“This is not a matter of impatience,” he said calmly. “Preparation is key. The journey to her realm is not like any physical travel you’ve ever done. It is spiritual, dangerous. You must be physically strong, but also mentally and emotionally prepared. If you go to her
Asher It was well past midnight by the time I finally stepped into my room. My body ached from the endless meeting with the council and various pack leaders. Every bone in me screamed for rest, but my mind wouldn’t let up. I was always thinking ahead—plans, threats, alliances. And now, with Malia on my mind, my thoughts were heavier than ever. The room was dark except for the faint glow of the moonlight filtering through the curtains. I sighed, loosening the collar of my shirt as I moved toward the bed. That’s when I saw her—Malia.She was thrashing, tangled in the sheets, her body drenched in sweat. Her breaths came out in ragged gasps, and soft whimpers escaped her lips. I froze, my pulse spiking. "Malia?" I called gently, stepping closer.She didn’t respond, still caught in the grips of whatever nightmare was tormenting her. Her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms as her body trembled violently. My stomach twisted at the sight. I had seen warriors broken by f
Malia The moment Corey spoke, the world shifted. The fire that had burned in Jamie’s eyes flickered, his rage replaced by uncertainty. The crowd, still scattered from the earlier chaos, now stood frozen in disbelief. Jamie turned fully to Corey, his voice low and sharp. “How did a witch cause your death when Amara saw Malia accuse you in person?” I felt my breath catch. Amara, standing to the side, nodded vigorously, as if needing Corey to confirm what she believed. “I saw it with my own eyes,” she said, her voice raw from screaming at me earlier. “Malia was right there! She said it herself! That you forced yourself on her. You were there too!” Corey’s pale blue eyes swept across the gathered wolves before settling back on Jamie. “The witch turned into Malia,” Corey said simply. “She pretended to be her.” A collective hush spread through the crowd. Jamie’s jaw tightened. He was watching Corey carefully, trying to process his words, but I could see the doubt in his eyes. “Are
Malia Rayna’s voice was smooth, almost amused. “What's this I hear about someone stealing my glory? Don't act so surprised. You all chanted 'WITCH!!!' Now I'm here.” Jamie’s eyes darkened. “A witch?” Rayna chuckled. “You don’t even know what you’re dealing with.” “Neither do you,” Jamie snapped. He turned back toward me, his grip tightening on flaming torch in his hand. My heart nearly stopped. He was about to set me ablaze! Was he really going to go through with it? Rayna took a step forward. “Oh don't be so uptight. If you kill her you'll ruin the surprise—” CRACK. The sharp sound cut through the air like a whip, followed by a rush of icy wind. And then, just like that, the world stopped. Every muscle in my body froze as he stepped forward. The torches flickered wildly, casting jagged shadows over his face. The mob fell silent, their fury evaporating in an instant. I could hear the sharp intake of breath from the wolves around me, their bodies stiff with shock. Jamie’s k
AsherJust as I thought I’d won—just as I convinced myself there was still time to save Malia—a chill swept through the room, colder than anything I’d ever felt. The air grew heavy again, thick with magic, but this time it was different. Older. More dangerous. And then… he appeared. A figure stepped out of the shadows, draped in a hooded robe as black as midnight. My heart slammed against my ribs as he lowered the hood. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think.It was Corey. His hair was now as pale as snow, almost glowing under the dim light. His skin was just as ghostly, drained of warmth and life.I knew it was him—but something inside me screamed that it wasn’t. Not really. He stood there, silent and still, watching me with that frozen gaze. “Corey…” I whispered, my voice barely audible. He didn’t answer. He didn’t move, neither could I. Not because of any magic—at least, I didn’t think so. It was something else. Something deeper. The hooded figures that had
AsherI ended the call with the harp twins and slipped my phone into my pocket, my mind spinning. Every instinct in me screamed that something wasn’t right. This wasn’t just some twisted revenge from Jamie. I couldn’t explain it, but I knew that the girl Jamie had wasn’t some imposter. It was Malia. The real Malia. And she was running out of time. I had to get to her. Now. I turned toward the door, already planning the fastest route to Storm Pack territory, when a cold shiver ran down my spine. My steps slowed. The air grew heavy—thick, charged with something unnatural. Magic. I spun just as the lights in the hallway dimmed and the temperature dropped. A gust of wind howled through the room, shattering the calm. The shadows stretched unnaturally long, curling across the walls like living things. And then—they appeared. Three hooded figures emerged from the darkness, dressed in heavy black robes embroidered with silver runes. Their faces were hidden beneath the hoods, but their pr
MaliaI couldn’t take it anymore—his voice, his accusations, the constant weight of his blame pressing down on me. Every word Jamie spoke was like a knife slicing through what little strength I had left. My body ached, the ropes biting into my wrists and ankles, the gag dry and scratchy against my lips. My throat burned for water, but no one cared. No one would listen. Maybe this was it—maybe I was meant to die here, tied to a post in the woods like some kind of monster. A witch. I let my head fall back against the rough bark behind me, my hair falling wild and tangled over my face. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the sound of Jamie’s voice as he muttered under his breath. He was pacing now, but his anger hadn’t lessened. If anything, it had grown darker, heavier. It didn’t matter what I did. Nothing I said would ever convince him—or anyone—that I wasn’t the person who accused Corey. That I wasn’t the reason his brother was dead. They had already made up their minds.
Malia As the hours dragged on, the mob slowly began to thin out. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows through the trees, but some wolves remained—hovering on the edges, eager to witness my punishment if Asher didn’t come. Their eyes burned with hatred and bloodlust, and no matter how much I tried to avoid their stares, I could still feel their judgment pressing down on me like a crushing weight. My throat burned with thirst. The gag chafed against the corners of my mouth, and every breath felt shallow and strained. My limbs were aching from being tied in the same position for so long, and the rough ropes dug into my wrists with every twitch. I tried to swallow against the dryness in my throat, but it only made the ache worse. I tried to make a sound—something, anything—to get someone’s attention. My voice was weak and muffled beneath the gag, but I hoped someone—anyone—would notice that I needed water. My tongue felt thick and heavy, and I was starting to feel di
MaliaThe ropes cut into my wrists, burning my skin with every slight movement. My arms were stretched above my head, bound tightly to the thick wooden post behind me. I could barely breathe around the filthy cloth stuffed into my mouth. My legs trembled beneath me, but I forced myself to stay upright. If I fell, I didn’t know if I’d have the strength to get back up. The air was thick with the smell of earth and pine, but it did nothing to mask the scent of anger—raw and violent—hanging over the crowd. Dozens of wolves surrounded me, their eyes burning with hatred. Their snarls filled the clearing, echoing through the woods. “Witch!” one of them growled. “Burn her!” another voice shouted from the crowd. A low, rhythmic chant began to rise. “Witch. Witch. Witch.”Tears blurred my vision, sliding down my face as I shook my head. I wanted to scream—to tell them they were wrong—but the gag muffled every sound. My heart pounded so loudly it drowned out their voices, but I couldn’t
Asher I didn’t know how long I’d been unconscious. Time seemed to have slipped away, leaving me adrift in a sea of confusion and dread. The lingering scent of smoke, acrid and sharp, was the only tangible evidence of the terrifying encounter with Rayna. I pushed myself up, my body protesting with a groan. My head pounded, a dull ache that mirrored the turmoil in my mind. Rayna’s words echoed in the silence of the room, each syllable a dagger twisting in my heart. “You will have the whole world against you, Asher.”I stumbled to my feet, my legs shaky, my thoughts a whirlwind of fear and regret. Rayna was gone. Vanished, like a phantom in the night. But the consequences of her presence, of her revelations, were all too real. I looked around the living room, the familiar space now tainted with the memory of her chilling laughter, her fiery display of power. It felt like a different place, a place where my illusions had shattered, leaving behind only the cold, hard reality of
Asher The flames danced in her palms, a mocking display of power that sent a chill deeper than any winter wind through my bones. My mind reeled, trying to reconcile the gentle woman I thought I knew with this…person before me. “Who are you?” I demanded, my voice rough, barely a whisper. “What have you done with Malia?”The laughter that spilled from her lips was like ice on fire, a sound that scraped against my soul. It wasn’t Malia’s laugh. It was sharper, colder, laced with an amusement that bordered on cruelty. “Malia?” she echoed, tilting her head. The fire in her hands crackled, throwing flickering shadows across the room. “Such a quaint notion.”A wave of dizziness washed over me, and I stumbled back, my hand grasping for the edge of the table. “You’re not her,” I breathed, the realization hitting me with the force of a physical blow. “You’re not Malia.”Her smile widened, revealing teeth that seemed just a little too sharp, a little too predatory. “That's right,” she